Germany has a large, ongoing shortage of nurses, and it actively recruits qualified nurses from outside the EU. Nursing is a regulated profession, so before you can work as a registered nurse (Pflegefachperson), you must have your qualification recognised and hold a state licence to practise.

In short: to migrate to Germany as a registered nurse, you need four things: recognition of your nursing qualification (Anerkennung), German at level B2, a job offer, and the right visa. Since 20,24, you can also enter first and finish recognition in Germany through a Recognition Partnership.

Can You Work as a Nurse in Germany?

Yes, but nursing is regulated under the Nursing Professions Act, so you need both recognition of your foreign qualification and a licence to practise. Nurses from the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland generally receive automatic or simplified recognition; the steps below mainly apply to nurses trained outside those countries.

Step 1: Get Your Qualification Recognised (Anerkennung)

You apply for recognition to the competent authority in the federal state (Bundesland) where you plan to work, and the recognition is then valid across Germany. The authority compares your training with the German reference qualification and issues a decision: full recognition, partial recognition, or no recognition. Use the official Recognition Finder on anerkennung-in-deutschland.de to find the right authority for your case. A complete application is often decided in about three to four months.

If you receive partial recognition (a Defizitbescheid), you complete compensatory measures to close the gap: either an adaptation course (Anpassungslehrgang) of practical and theoretical training, or a knowledge test (Kenntnispruefung), an oral and practical examination.

Step 2: Reach the Required German Level

German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework are required for full recognition and the licence to practise, because you must communicate safely with patients and colleagues. Some states accept B1 to begin as a nursing assistant while you continue studying, and many employers also ask for a specialist language exam (Fachsprachpruefung). Treat B2 as the real target, since you cannot hold a full nurse licence without it.

Step 3: Choose Your Visa Route

Several routes lead to the same goal. The right one depends on whether your qualification is already fully recognised and whether you have a job offer.

• Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft): introduced in the 2024 Skilled Immigration Act. You enter Germany with a job offer, German level A2, and a written agreement with your employer to complete recognition upon arrival, working under supervision in the meantime.
• Visa for recognition of qualifications (Section 16d): for nurses with partial recognition who come to Germany to complete an adaptation course or the knowledge test.
• Skilled Worker visa (Section 18a): for nurses who already hold full German recognition and a job offer.
• EU Blue Card: possible if you meet the salary threshold for shortage occupations, which is EUR 45,934.20 per year in 2026.
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): a points-based route to enter Germany to look for work or start recognition; you cannot work as a nurse until you are licensed.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents and Other Requirements

Most routes also require a medical certificate of fitness for the profession and a certificate of good conduct (police clearance). For recognition, you will need certified copies of your nursing diploma and transcripts, your training curriculum, proof of professional experience, your identity documents, and German translations by a sworn translator. Your employer or recruiter often helps gather these and may use the accelerated skilled worker procedure to speed up entry.

What You Can Expect to Earn

Pay depends on the state, your experience, and the collective agreement (TVoeD) your employer follows. While your recognition is pending, working as a nursing assistant with B1 German proficiency often pays around EUR 2,90- 3,600 gross per month. Fully recognised registered nurses are generally paid more under the applicable collective agreement. Always confirm the exact figures in your contract.

Recruitment Programmes and a Strong Warning on Scams

Germany runs ethical recruitment programmes such as Triple Win and other government partnerships that support language training, recognition, and the visa process. A vital safeguard: legitimate agencies and employers never charge a nurse upfront placement fees. If anyone asks you to pay to be placed in a German nursing job, treat it as a likely scam, stop, and verify the employer and the authority through official channels.

Official Sources

Start from the official portals anerkennung-in-deutschland.de for recognition and make-it-in-germany.de for visas and the Skilled Immigration Act. Always confirm the current rules with the competent authority in your chosen federal state, as procedures and thresholds can change.